1921 Voisin C1 Presidential Coupé

This 1921 Avions Voisin OC1 'Presidential' Coupé is chassis number 543, the earliest Avions-Voisin car in existence. This 'Town Car' served as formal transpiration for the French government, a duty it performed until it was retired in 1926. It was then purchased by a nightclub owner in the Pigalle district of Paris. After a short period of time, the car was sent to Parisien coachbuilders Rothschild & Co. for modifications to an altogether more subtle sedan. It would remain in this form until it was discovered by Voisin connoisseur collector Robert Cornière in the 1960s in an old Chateau barn in dilapidated condition.

Mr. Cornière had every intention to bring the car back to its former glory, but it was not to be. The car was sold in 1980 to another Frenchman who later began to work on the car. A restoration was performed by Dominique Tessier of Tours who brought it back to its original condition.

In the 1990s the car passed into another famous collection.

The car has been exhibited at the Louis Vuitton Classic at Bagatelle in Paris, France, and at the Pebble Beach Concours.

In 2008, the car was offered for sale at the 'Quail Lodge, A Sale of Exceptional Motorcars and Automobilia' presented by Bonhams Auction. The lot was sold for $359,000 inclusive of the buyer's premium.

In 2008, this Presidential Coupé was offered for sale at the 'Quail Lodge, A Sale of Exceptional Motorcars and Automobilia' presented by Bonhams Auction. The car was sold for $359,000 inclusive of the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2008